Chapter 33: Utilizing Talents Appropriately—Let the Capable Take Their Place

In the office of the director of Hongda Machinery Factory, Ma Jian was recounting in detail to Mu Aijun and Wang Youchang the experiences he and Zhao Guoyang had at Siyang Group.

When the two heard that the dignified Minister of Technology and Quality at Siyang Group, in order to recruit Zhao Guoyang, had offered him the position of deputy director of the Research Institute and promised that after a year or two, if there were no issues, he would be made permanent, they were both stunned.

"Old Ma, did Minister Liang really promise that? It wasn’t just some joke at the dinner table, was it?" Mu Aijun asked incredulously.

"No, no, it was absolutely not a joke!" Ma Jian explained seriously. "Director, you don’t know. Guoyang, at Siyang Group, easily deduced their secret project—the curved beam motorcycle—and, moreover, rattled off a bunch of highly technical points. I don’t know much about technology, so I can’t really explain, but the result was, the moment Guoyang spoke up, he immediately impressed them."

Seeing Mu Aijun and Wang Youchang still digesting his account, Ma Jian continued, "Director, Old Wang, here’s what I think. Whether it’s to retain Guoyang’s talent or for other reasons, just the fact that he brought us several times the expected orders and secured a trial opportunity for a new model means we ought to reward him generously..."

"Yes, I completely agree with Old Ma on this," Wang Youchang nodded firmly.

He had always been a steadfast supporter of Zhao Guoyang. The last time the three of them sat together to discuss, he wanted to directly promote Zhao Guoyang to middle management, deputy head of the technical department.

At that time, he had to give up because Mu Aijun opposed it. But Zhao Guoyang’s subsequent performances only made Wang like the young man more and more.

Now that the lad had such an achievement with Siyang Group, and with Ma Jian, his usual rival, endorsing him, Wang Youchang naturally wanted to fight for Zhao Guoyang.

After Wang Youchang spoke his opinion, Mu Aijun took a deep drag on his cigarette, his brows knitted.

In truth, Mu Aijun was not a conservative thinker. He firmly believed capable people should step into the spotlight.

His hesitation about promoting Zhao Guoyang stemmed from concern about causing dissatisfaction among others at the factory. After all, Zhao Guoyang was still very young.

Perhaps sensing Mu Aijun’s misgivings, Ma Jian exhaled a smoke ring and said, "Director, I don’t think we can delay this. We can’t just focus on unity. The nineties have begun; the era of communal meals is gone. Although Hongda Machinery is a collective enterprise, we should follow the principle of ‘putting the right people to good use and letting the capable lead.’ Let me put it this way: if Guoyang were forty-two, not twenty-two, and had such technical abilities, would there be any issue making him deputy head of the technical department?"

Wang Youchang nodded and added, "Not forty-two—even if Guoyang were thirty-two, I’d immediately step aside as head of the technical department and let him take over!"

Both deputies supporting a young man so strongly was unprecedented since Mu Aijun became director of Hongda Machinery Factory.

After a brief contemplation, Mu Aijun made up his mind. He looked at Ma Jian and asked, "Old Ma, you said that besides getting us an extra order for 300 'Little Mulan' motorcycles, Guoyang also secured a trial opportunity for a new model frame?"

"Yes, it’s called the curved beam motorcycle. Minister Liang from Siyang Group said it’s their flagship product for the coming years. If the samples we produce are approved and included in their supply system, we won’t have to worry about our factory’s livelihood for years to come!" Ma Jian nodded vigorously.

"Alright, here’s what we’ll do," Mu Aijun slapped the table decisively. "Zhao Guoyang will be appointed deputy head of the technical department, effective tomorrow. Furthermore, to facilitate his work, give him the titles of ‘Head of the R&D Team’ and ‘Head of the Technical Innovation Group,’ granting him full responsibility for the trial production of the new frame! Old Ma, Old Wang, what do you think?"

"Absolutely! With those titles, anyone smart enough should drop any thoughts of competing with him. If they don’t cooperate, it would be totally unreasonable," Ma Jian applauded enthusiastically.

Wang Youchang nodded as well. Having worked in the technical department for years, he was comforted to finally have someone worthy to succeed him.

Seeing Mu Aijun take out another cigarette, Ma Jian quickly lit it for him and said cheerfully, "Director, shouldn’t we also consider raising Guoyang’s administrative rank? He’s already a reserve deputy-level cadre. Now that he’s got these titles, promoting him to full section chief seems necessary!"

Ma Jian’s suggestion tempted Mu Aijun.

He was deeply grateful for Zhao Guoyang’s major achievement. With the monthly order of 400 'Little Mulan' frames, Hongda Machinery’s profits for the year were almost assured. Likewise, his position as director was rock solid.

The recent campaign in Ninghai City against ‘demobilized cadres running enterprises’ surely wouldn’t affect him now.

But, having spent time in the military, Mu Aijun knew that issues of seniority and hierarchy could never be fully eliminated.

Zhao Guoyang had made a significant contribution and had technical skills that earned respect. Promoting him to deputy section chief and giving him those two titles was fine, since he’d still be at the deputy-level.

But if he were suddenly promoted to full section chief, many would object.

With that in mind, Mu Aijun politely declined Ma Jian’s proposal.

The day after the three-man meeting, the factory used the morning assembly to convene a general meeting of all cadres and workers, officially announcing Zhao Guoyang’s appointment.

"Guoyang, impressive! Deputy section chief already? You’ve got to look out for me from now on!" Xu Dongfeng, standing next to Zhao Guoyang, said in a low, envious voice.

"Sure, I’ll be busy with the new frame these days, probably working overtime every day. You can help me out!" Zhao Guoyang replied with a grin.

"Overtime?" Xu Dongfeng froze, scratching his head in frustration. "Uh, Guoyang, just pretend I never said anything. You know I hate overtime. If I work till seven or eight, there’s no time for cards..."

Zhao Guoyang was only teasing him; he never expected anyone to join him in tackling the new product after hours. Since he’d volunteered for the job, he’d shoulder it himself.

Besides, he was likely the only one at the factory who could decipher all those frame blueprints from Siyang Group. Well, maybe Wang Youchang too.

Given the situation, he couldn’t very well ask Director Wang to work overtime with him.

"Guoyang, congratulations!" Hua Guosheng, nicknamed ‘Second Mao,’ turned and smiled at Zhao Guoyang.

Seeing him, Zhao Guoyang slapped his forehead. "Right, Hua Guosheng knows a bit about mechanical drawing. Once I’ve studied the blueprints, I can have him help with some tooling diagrams..."